His studies prove how strangely the finger of Fortune points. It
turned aside the prows of Captain Cook, La Perouse, Vancouver, and
the great Behring, as well as the bold Drake, who tarried within
a day's sail at his New Albion. Frenchman, Englishman, and Russian
have been tricked by the fairy goddess of the mist. The Golden
Gates in these later days are locked by the Yankees from the inside.
Leaping from the boat, Valois tosses his scanty gear on the strand.
It is a deep, curving bay, in later years to be covered with stately
palaces of commerce, far out to where the Portsmouth now lies.
A few huts make up the city of Yerba Buena. Reflecting on his
status, he dares not seek the alcalde, Lieut. Washington Bartlett
of the navy. From his escort he has heard of the many bickerings
which have involved Sloat, Stockton, Fremont, and Kearney.
Trusting to Padre Francisco's letters, he hires a horse of a
loitering half-breed. This native pilots him to the mission.
The priests receive him with open arms. They are glad for news of
their brother of the Sierras. Maxime installs himself as a guest
of the priests. Some current of life will bear him onward--whither
he knows not.
Idle days run into weeks.
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